Abstract: Records about the development of California and National History Standards for K-12 education from 1986-1990s, evidence of
intense conservative political reaction to the standards, book drafts for
History on Trial, and academic work done during Charlotte Crabtree's career as a Professor of Education at the University of California, Los
Angeles are contained in the Charlotte Crabtree papers. In addition to her academic work, Charlotte Crabtree was at the forefront
of two major efforts to produce world and United States history standards incorporating multicultural perspectives and recent
scholarship. Collection material includes conference records, meeting records, hearing records, field report feedback, community
feedback, clippings of political responses in the media, textbooks, and academic publications.

Language: Finding aid is written in
English.

Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library Special Collections.

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library,
Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright,
are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of
the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC
Regents do not hold the copyright.

Provenance/Source of Acquisition

Gift of Laurie Lindop, 2006.

Processing Note

Processed by Julia Morton in the Center for Primary Research and Training (CFPRT), with assistance from Kelley Wolfe Bachli,
2010.

The processing of this collection was generously supported by
Arcadia funds.

Charlotte Crabtree (1927-2006) was a Professor of Education at the University of California, Los Angeles heavily involved
in producing history standards for kindergarten - 12th grade education from 1986-1996, after which she coauthored a book about
the intense political response from Lynne V. Cheney and others to the newly multicultural history standards. Her academic
interests encompassed children's geographical learning, pedagogical engagement, and curricular content in primary and secondary
education.

The National Center for History in the Schools was established at UC Los Angeles through Charlotte Crabtree's winning grant
proposal. Under her direction in collaboration with UCLA Professor of History Gary Nash, the Center led the creation of the
1995 National Standards for World History and the National Standards for United States History.

These history standards were developed in conjunction with multiple rounds of feedback from teachers, historians, cultural
and special interest communities, and other groups. They were designed to include the fruit of recent historical scholarship
and promote the teaching of historical thinking skills, and were fairly well received in schools after their publication.

Nevertheless, they attracted a great deal of political attention. Beginning in 1994, the standards served as a lightning rod
for debates of what have been called the American culture wars. Conservative politicians such as Lynne V. Cheney protested
that the standards' multicultural inclusiveness smacked of historical revisionism, lacked proper patriotism, and excessively
scrutinized shameful moments in American history.

So fiercely did attention focus on the standards that congressional hearings were held to investigate the manner in which
they had been funded by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Endowment for the Humanities. As the significance
and magnitude of the history standards' political effect became increasingly clear, Charlotte Crabtree co-authored the 1997
book
History on Trial: Culture Wars and the Teaching of the Past with Gary Nash and Ross Dunn.

The 1995 history standards were Charlotte Crabtree's second major role leading efforts to update curricula. In 1986, Charlotte
Crabtree became principal co-writer for California History - Social Science Framework, which she hoped would incorporate multicultural
values and an examination of the interaction of history, economics, cultural traditions, and geography into curricular guidelines.
Some controversy over the treatment of Arab and Muslim communities in the Framework occurred while it was being put together.

Charlotte Crabtree was raised in South Dakota, Missouri, and Los Angeles. She graduated from the University of California,
Los Angeles with a bachelor's degree in History, and then taught elementary school. After earning a master's degree in Education
from UC Los Angeles in 1958 and a doctorate from Stanford University in 1962, she was a Professor of Education at UC Los Angeles
from 1961 until her retirement in 1993-1994. In addition to her involvement in mandatory education, she was lauded for her
organizational and administrative ability as an academic.

Scope and Content

Materials about the development of history content guidelines for K-12 education, political backlash to these guidelines,
drafts and correspondence for the book History on Trial and academic work are contained in this collection. The bulk of the
collection spans the late 1980s to the mid-1990s and includes papers, press materials, 12 videocassettes, 36 audio cassettes,
and copies of the 1995 National Standards for World History, the 1995 National Standards for United States History and the
1988 Model Curriculum for Human Rights and Genocide.

Charlotte Crabtree's academic work includes correspondence, elementary school textbooks written under her direction, and publications
from 1960 to circa 1990 on structuring learning, schema theory in social studies, and elementary school children's geographic
education.

Curricular material on human rights and genocide includes feedback from cultural communities (Jewish, Arab, Right to Life,
Gay and Lesbian, Baltic states, Armenian, Chinese, Turkish, American Indian, Ukrainian, Polish, and religious groups), from
academics, primary and secondary school teachers within and outside of California, and publishers. Concern is evident about
the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, and anti-Muslim, anti-Arab sentiment. Evidence is contained about processes for evaluating
historical claims. Content relating to the production of the California History – Social Science Framework also includes meetings
of National Forum on History Textbooks, a Board of Education Hearing, audio recordings of radio interviews, educational videocassettes,
and television programs relating to K-12 education.

The process of creating the National History Standards is documented by text and audio materials from meetings of 1992-1994,
correspondence, and a large amount of feedback from teachers, communities, academics, and focus groups.
Documents displaying support for and criticism of the National History Standards include the comments of political figures,
news media, and the Department of Education. In particular, materials by and about Lynne V. Cheney's involvement in education
policy and reform are present.

Political debate is contained regarding the mandate for national standards creation and public thinking about national testing.
Materials from the National Educational Goals Panel and records for relevant Congressional Hearings and the proposed Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act of 1995 are also included.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged in the following series:

National History Standards Project

History on Trial (Book)

California History – Social Science Framework

Academic Work.

Original order was maintained for series 1 and 2. Where possible, file titles were also preserved. For series 3 and 4, an
attempt was made to recreate what appeared to have been the intended order. Throughout, order is based on a combination of
chronological and topical grouping.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Crabtree, Charlotte

Related Material

Related administrative files for the National Center for History in the Schools may be found in University Archives Rec Ser
667.

Material relating to Charlotte Crabtree's academic career, including her CV, correspondence, and student evaluations, may
be found in the University Archives faculty file on Charlotte Crabtree.

Container List

1. National History Standards Project1983-2004

Scope and Content Note

Contains textual and audio cassette records of National Council for History Standards meetings, feedback from focus groups,
community groups, and others,
political responses to the History Standards, copies of the 1995 World History and United States History Standards, and correspondence.
Related material may be found in "History On
Trial (Book)." The National History Standards Project's central overseeing body was the National Council for History Standards,
with advisory subgroup National Forum for History
Standards. Organizational Focus Groups were organized for the Council of Chief State School Officers, the Association for
Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National
Council for the Social Studies, the Council of State Social Studies Supervisors (CS-4), the American Historical Association,
Organization of American Historians, the National Council for
History Education, and the Organization of History Teachers. Curriculum Task Forces were formed for United States History
(Elementary, Middle, and High School sections) and for
World History (Elementary, Middle, and High School sections).

Box 1, Folder 1

National Council for History Standards meeting : presentation of issues 1992 February 21

Box 1, Folder 2

Letters in response to National Council for History Standards meeting 1992 February 21 1992 February - April

Box 1, Folder 3

Charlotte Crabtree's notebook -- correspondence regarding National Council for History Standards meeting 1992 April

Box 1, Folder 4

Charlotte Crabtree's notebook -- focus group correspondence and reports 1992 February - May

Box 1, Folder 5

National Council for History Standards meeting 1992 June 11 -- Agenda through Question 6 1992 June 11 - 12

Box 1, Folder 6

National Council for History Standards meeting 1992 June 11 -- Tab A through Tab S 1992 June 11 - 12

Box 1, Folder 7

National Council for History Standards meeting 1992 June 11 -- Section 2 through Section 8 1992 June 11 - 12

Box 1, Folder 8

National Council for History Standards meeting 1992 June 11 -- Tab A through Tab S 1992 June 11 - 12

Scope and Content Note

Not completely identical in content to Box 1 Folder 6.

Box 2, Folder 1

National Council for History Standards meeting 1992 June 11 -- Council on world history lessons 1992 March

Box 2, Folder 2

National Council for History Standards meeting 1992 June 11 -- Standards feedback 1992 May

Box 2, Folder 3

National Council for History Standards meeting 1992 June 11 -- Standards correspondence 1992

Box 2, Folder 4

Focus group feedback -- Focus groups 1992 February - May

Box 2, Folder 5

Focus group feedback -- National Forum for History Standards 1992 April 9-10 1992 March - May

Box 2, Folder 6

Transcriptions and feedback of National Forum for History Standards meeting 1992 April 10 1992 April, June

Letter of support from presidents of American Historical Association and Organization of American Historians 1995 January 5

Box 6, Folder 3

Organization of American Historians award grants for history standards conferences 1995

Box 6, Folder 4

World History Association letter regarding standards 1995 March 1

Box 6, Folder 5

Organization of History Teachers and standards 1994-1995

Box 6, Folder 6

National Catholic Education Association 1995

Box 6, Folder 7

Letters of support from forum groups 1994-1995

Box 6, Folder 8

National Council for the Social Studies feedback 1994 December

Box 6, Folder 9

American Federation of Teachers : Albert Shanker on standards 1992-1995

Box 6, Folder 10

Letters of support from task force teachers 1994-1995

Box 6, Folder 11

Support from teachers 1994-1995

Box 6, Folder 12

Supporters of United States History Standards 1993-1994

Box 6, Folder 13

Standards reviews in Education Week 1994-1995

Box 6, Folder 14

President Clinton on standards 1992-1993

Box 6, Folder 15

Debate over standards (folder 1 of 2) 1989-1995

Scope and Content Note

Material warning of potential reaction from 1986 may be found in "Political concerns and articles by Duane Campbell," Box
11 Folder 6. Related material may be
found in "Articles on history standards referenced in History On Trial," Box 10 Folder 5.

Box 6, Folder 16

Debate over standards (folder 2 of 2) 1989-1995

Scope and Content Note

Related material may be found in "Articles on history standards referenced in History On Trial," Box 10 Folder 5.

Box 6, Folder 17

Assessment debate 1991-1992

Box 6, Folder 18

Lynne V. Cheney on tests 1991 - ca. 1994

Box 7, Folder 1

National Council on Education Standard and Testing assessment debate 1991-1992, 1996

Scope and Content Note

Includes report of 1992 January 24: "Raising Standards for American Education"

Box 7, Folder 2

National Council on Education Standard and Testing History Task Force 1992

Box 7, Folder 3

Lamar Alexander's support and National Council for Education Standards and Testing report 1992

See related content in "Lamar Alexander's support and National Council for Education Standards and Testing report," Box 7
Folder 3

Box 9, Folder 1

Arthur Schlesinger correspondence 1994-1995 March

Box 9, Folder 2

Paul Gagnon 1991, 1994, 1996

Box 9, Folder 3

Gil Sewall of the American Textbook Council 1992-1994

Box 9, Folder 4

Conservative political context 1997 March

Scope and Content Note

Contains 2 newspaper articles

Box 9, Folder 5

Newt Gingrich attack 1995-1997

Box 9, Folder 6

Bob Dole attack 1995-1996

Scope and Content Note

Related Bob Dole material may be found in "United States Congress on standards (folder 2 of 2)," Box 9 Folder 9.

Box 9, Folder 7

Pat Buchanan 1995-1996

Box 9, Folder 8

United States Congress on standards (folder 1 of 2) 1994-1996

Scope and Content Note

Includes congressional hearing records on the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act proposed by Senator Thomas Slade Gorton. Includes
letters of support for history
standards.

Box 9, Folder 9

United States Congress on standards (folder 2 of 2) 1994-1996

Scope and Content Note

Includes letters of support for history standards, such as a letter from Brian P. Copenhaver to the Wall Street Journal.

Box 9, Folder 10

House Representative Lamar Smith attacks 1996 November 29

Scope and Content Note

Related Lamar Smith material may be found in "United States Congress on standards (folder 1 of 2)," Box 9 Folder 8.

Box 9, Folder 11

MacNeil Lehrer Newshour (VHS videocassette) 1991 November 28

Scope and Content Note

58 minutes

Box 20, Folder 1

National Forum for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 1 of 4) 1992 April 10

Box 20, Folder 2

National Forum for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 2 of 4) 1992 April 10

Box 20, Folder 3

National Forum for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 3 of 4) 1992 April 10

Box 20, Folder 4

National Forum for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 4 of 4) 1992 April 10

Box 20, Folder 5

National Forum for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 1 of 5) 1994 May 19

Scope and Content Note

Reports and discussion, 9:00 - 11:20 a.m.

Box 20, Folder 6

National Forum for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 2 of 5) 1994 May 19

Scope and Content Note

Reports and discussion, 11:21 am - 12:00 pm

Box 20, Folder 7

National Forum for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 3 of 5) 1994 May 19

Scope and Content Note

Reports and discussion, 1:08 - 2:42 pm

Box 20, Folder 8

National Forum for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 4 of 5) 1994 May 19

Scope and Content Note

Reports and discussion, 2:42 - 3:00 pm

Box 20, Folder 9

National Forum for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 5 of 5) 1994 May 19

Scope and Content Note

Organizational focus groups reports and discussion, 3:30 - 5:00 pm

Box 20, Folder 10

National Council for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 1 of 5) 1994 May 20

Box 20, Folder 11

National Council for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 2 of 5) 1994 May 20

Box 20, Folder 12

National Council for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 3 of 5) 1994 May 20

Box 20, Folder 13

National Council for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 4 of 5) 1994 May 20

Box 20, Folder 14

National Council for History Standards meeting (audio cassette 5 of 5) 1994 May 20

Box 20, Folder 15

Joyce Appleby and Lynne V. Cheney on National Public Radio "Talk of the Nation" (audio cassette) 1994 November 8

Box 20, Folder 16

"Dr. Brunworth" (audio cassette 1 of 2) ca. 1990s

Box 20, Folder 17

"Dr. Brunworth" (audio cassette 2 of 2) ca. 1990s

Box 20, Folder 18

Charlotte Crabtree on KKLA and John Stewart ca. 1994

2. History On Trial (Book)1991-1997

Scope and Content Note

"History Wars" was the working title of the book written by Charlotte Crabtree along with Gary Nash and Ross Dunn regarding
political responses to the National
History Standards. The published title is "History on Trial: Culture Wars and the Teaching of the Past." By Gary B. Nash,
Charlotte Crabtree, and Ross E. Dunn. New York: Alfred A.
Knopf, 1997. This series contains drafts, correspondence, and items cited in the book. Related material may be found in "National
History Standards Project."

Box 10, Folder 1

Book prospectus and correspondence 1995 ca. April - December, 1996

Box 10, Folder 2

Feedback on history standards 1994-1995

Scope and Content Note

Includes feedback from focus groups and others related to materials in the "National History Standards Project" series, "Focus
group feedback on draft standards"
and "Feedback on draft standards" Box 4 Folders 5 and 6.

Box 10, Folder 3

Paranoia of critics 1995

Scope and Content Note

Includes 3 newspaper articles

Box 10, Folder 4

Politicization of criticism 1995

Scope and Content Note

See related material in "Debate over standards," Box 6 Folders 15 and 16. Material warning of potential political reaction
from 1986 may be found in "Political
concerns and articles by Duane Campbell," Box 11 Folder 6.

Box 10, Folder 5

Articles on history standards referenced in History On Trial 1994-1997

Box 10, Folder 6

1994 Forum meeting notes and feedback referenced in History On Trial 1991-1995

"Western Civ, Multiculturalism, and the Problem of a Unified World History" by Ross E. Dunn 1996 April 19

3. California History -- Social Science Framework1986-1991

Scope and Content Note

Contains feedback on the Framework (also referred to as the "History -- Social Studies Framework") from teachers, community
groups, individuals, and special
interest groups. Contains material on anti-Arab and anti-Muslim sentiment, including concerns addressed during a Board of
Education Hearing. Includes material on the Armenian
Genocide, Jewish and Polish Holocaust deaths, and a copy of the 1988 Model Curriculum for Human Rights and Genocide. Concerns
about politics and politicization may be found, as
well as audio and video records of meetings, television and radio appearances, and instructional material.

Box 11, Folder 6

Political concerns and articles by Duane Campbell 1986

Scope and Content Note

These foreshadow the political reaction to come ca. 1994 in response to the National History Standards.

For additional material relating to the Armenian Genocide, see "Armenian community feedback on human rights and genocide,"
Box 12 Folder
11.

Box 12, Folder 3

Feedback on the framework (folder 3 of 3) 1987 May - June

Box 12, Folder 4

Feedback on the framework 1987 May - July

Box 12, Folder 5

Special interest feedback on the framework 1987 May - June

Scope and Content Note

For additional material relating to the Jewish community, see "Jewish community feedback on human rights and genocide," Box
13 Folder 1. For additional material
on the Armenian community, see "Armenian community feedback on human rights and genocide," Box 12 Folder 11. Also contains
material from Creation Scientists and the Traditional
Values Coalition.

Box 12, Folder 6

Arab community feedback 1987 June - 1988

Scope and Content Note

Includes Board of Education hearing with testimony from Audrey Shabbas on behalf of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination
Committee, June 10 1987. Related
material may be found in "Feedback on the framework," Box 11 Folder 12.

Box 12, Folder 7

General input on human rights and genocide 1987 July - August

Box 12, Folder 8

Right to Life group feedback on human rights and genocide ca. 1987 August

Box 12, Folder 9

Gay and Lesbian community feedback on human rights and genocide 1987 July - ca. August

Publications -- "Effects of Structuring on the Productiveness of Children's Thinking" 1967 Fall

Box 16, Folder 9

Publications -- "Effects of Structuring on the Productiveness of Children's Thinking"

Box 17, Folder 1

"Teaching Geography" project correspondence with United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare 1965-1968

Box 17, Folder 2

Publications -- Final Report "Teaching Geography in Grades One Through Three: Effects of Instruction in the Core Concept of
Geographic Theory"
1968

Scope and Content Note

Related photographs may be found in "Photographs (19) and slides (5) for "Teaching geography" and "Air photo analysis" projects,"
Box 15 Folder 17. Bound report
for United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare Project Number 5-1037.